Mission & Policies

The Morse Institute Library offers the use of its meeting rooms to further its roles as a place to meet and interact in meaningful ways, to learn and stay informed, and to celebrate and enjoy the diversity of the community. The Library's meeting rooms are a community asset, and use by community groups is encouraged when not in use for library purposes.

The first priority for meeting rooms is to serve the community through library programs and functions that further the work of the Library. Next priority will be given to town agencies, organizations directly affiliated with those agencies, and to non-profit groups. Other organizations may reserve the use of the meeting rooms as the schedule permits.

Library space cannot be reserved for private functions.

In accordance with the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, the Library does not limit use of meeting rooms based on the subject matter or content of the meeting or on the beliefs or affiliations of the meeting's sponsors. Library meeting rooms are made available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of the groups making the request. Groups or individuals using the meeting room may not imply that the event or program is sponsored, cosponsored, or endorsed by the Library in any advertising or publicity.

All meetings must adhere to the rules established by the Morse Institute Library. Failure to comply with the established rules may result in loss of future use.

There will be no charge for the use of the meeting rooms for town agencies. Non-profit or for-profit/commercial organizations will be required to pay fees based on the fee structure (below). Non-profit organizations will be required to provide information to confirm non-profit status. Any exceptions must be approved by Library Administration.

All meetings and programs held in the library meeting rooms must be free, accessible, and open to any member of the public. No selling, solicitation, or taking of orders for future purchases may occur without prior written permission from the Library Director or their designee. 

Groups and organizations failing to comply with any part of this policy or the established procedures will be denied further use of meeting rooms.

Fee Structure:

Hourly fees will be charged on the basis of total room usage including the organization's set-up time, meeting time, and breakdown time.

Amended by the Board of Trustees, Morse Institute Library on May 10, 2016.
Revised by the Board of Trustees, Morse Institute Library on July 10, 2018.
Revised by the Board of Trustees, Morse Institute Library on June 11, 2019.
Revised by the Board of Trustees, Morse Institute Library on September 21, 2021
Revised by the Board of Trustees, Morse Institute Library on April 12, 2022

Room Reservations:

The first priority for Meeting rooms is to serve the community through our library programs and functions that further the work of the library. Second priority will be given to town agencies, organizations directly affiliated with those agencies, and to non-profit groups. Other organizations may reserve the use of the meeting space as the schedule permits.

• Meeting rooms may be reserved no more than 3 months in advance, with the exception of library sponsored programming.

• Groups are limited to one reservation per month.

Use of meeting space is not allowed after library hours unless approved by the Library Director. Additional fees including janitorial services will be included in such cases.

Hours of Availability:

All meeting rooms are available during regularly scheduled library hours. All meetings must end 30 minutes prior to library closing.

Applications and Scheduling:

Reservation requests may be made by contacting the Library's Executive Assistant at 508-647-6525 or by submitting a request online at https://morseinstitute.assabetinteractive.com/meeting-and-study-rooms/by-room/#

• Reservation requests must be made by adults.

• Reservations may be made no more than three months and no less than 2 weeks in advance of the event. Scheduling requests submitted less than 2 weeks in advance will be accommodated when possible.

• Reservations shall be accepted, subject to the provisions of this policy, in the order received.

• Cancellations must be received at least 2 days in advance of the scheduled meeting. Failure to do so may forfeit the right of the group/individual to reserve rooms in the future.

• Library administration shall have the right to cancel, re-schedule or transfer meeting room locations or dates that conflict with library sponsored programs and/or special events. In such cases, the library will give at least 2 weeks advance notice. 

• In case of an unscheduled library closing due to weather or some other emergency, a group may reschedule another meeting time. The library will notify the contact person for an affected group as soon as possible after the library decides to close.

• Any publicity must be cleared by the Library Administration prior to publicity going to print. Publicity must clearly state who is sponsoring the program. Publicity must include a contact telephone number (not the library phone number). Library administration must receive final copies of any publicity.

• Any expenses (damage, police attendance, etc.) are the full responsibility of the organization using the Library facilities. The library is not responsible for the loss or damage of the organization's property or the property of individuals in attendance.

• All programs held at the Morse Institute Library must be free and open to the public.

• There will be absolutely no smoking, lit candles or other open fire on library premises.

• No alcoholic beverages may be served or consumed on the library premises except after approval by the Board of Selectmen and the Library Director, or Assistant Director in the director's absence, acting on behalf of the Board of Library Trustees.

• A business or commercial entity cannot sell or promote its products or services on the Library's premises.

• The Library does not provide special services such as the use of: a fax machine, copier, or other business center services.

• The Library should not be used as the mailing address for any group or organization.

• The Library reserves the right to cancel the use of the facilities as the result of an emergency. In the event that the Library cancels a reservation, a full refund will be issued.

• Decorations and/or displays must be limited to the tables or easels. Any other requests must be cleared through the Library Administration. Materials on display in the meeting rooms are not to be moved or rearranged.

• When setting up, or rehearsing for a program, please be considerate of others using the Library. Noise travels very easily. Please keep all doors shut until the time of the program.